Reps. John Kline, Keith Ellison both get bills out of House this week

Blog Post by: Allison Sherry

May 9, 2014 - 3:17 PM

WASHINGTON -- Before heading out for a week recess, Reps. John Kline and Keith Ellison got measures passed out of the full House this week.

Kline's measure, which passed Friday by 360 yes votes, makes it easier for already-existing charter schools to replicate and give states opportunities to use federal dollars to start new ones. It is part of what he originally tried to accomplish with reform of No Child Left Behind, but the Education Secondary and Elementary Act has been stalled in Congress for several years.

"Our work to provide more education options for students isn’t done yet," Kline said, in a statement Friday. "I encourage my Senate colleagues to join us in supporting the charter school movement by bringing this important proposal up for a vote without delay.”

But it's unclear whether the Senate will take up the measure. When it was introduced, Sen. Tom Harkin, the chair of the education committee in the other chamber, said he was more interested in a full overhaul of the education law, which dates back to the George W. Bush administration.

Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison got his first bill through the GOP-controlled House in this Congress earlier this week -- a victory for a member in the minority party. His bill, improves oversight of gaming establishments, check cashing, money service businesses, jewel merchants, mortgage brokers and reduces duplication for regulators and businesses.

Ellison's bill, which passed in a voice vote, was supported by Republicans, including Rep. Erik Paulsen.